Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 25 September-1 October 2019

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

 



2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2


From: "Kuhn, Sally" <KUHNS@xxxxxx>


Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor (kuhns@xxxxxx)

URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm





New Activity/Unrest: Copahue, Central Chile-Argentina border  | Poas, Costa
Rica  | Ulawun, New Britain (Papua New Guinea)



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Asosan, Kyushu (Japan)  | Dukono,
Halmahera (Indonesia)  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  | Etna, Sicily
(Italy)  | Ibu, Halmahera (Indonesia)  | Karangetang, Siau Island
(Indonesia)  | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | Krakatau, Indonesia
| Manam, Papua New Guinea  | Merapi, Central Java (Indonesia)  | Nevados de
Chillan, Chile  | Popocatepetl, Mexico  | Sabancaya, Peru  | Sheveluch,
Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Shishaldin, Fox Islands (USA)  |
Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | Tangkubanparahu, Western Java
(Indonesia)  | White Island, North Island (New Zealand)





The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the
Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's
Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, these reports
are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail.
This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting
during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet
criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section.
Carefully reviewed, detailed reports about recent activity are published in
issues of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.



Note that many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the
Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To
obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on
the Internet contact the source.







New Activity/Unrest





Copahue  | Central Chile-Argentina border  | 37.856°S, 71.183°W  | Summit
elev. 2953 m



On 30 September OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN, ONEMI, and SEGEMAR reported that three
long-period (LP) earthquakes with notable magnitudes were located about 5.8
km NE of Copahueâ??s El Agrio Crater. In addition, abundant LP and
volcano-tectonic (VT) signals with relatively lower magnitudes were also
located in the same area. Some of the events were felt by residents of
Caviahue (10 km E) and Copahue 7 km NE) in Argentina. SERNAGEOMIN raised
the Alert Level to Orange (second highest level on a four-color scale) and
ONEMI updated the Yellow Alert (the middle level on a three-color scale)
for residents, noting a restriction for entering a 5-km radius from El
Agrio Crater. The seismic network recorded a local M 3.1 VT earthquake at
2340 on 30 September, and a local M 3.7 VT event at 0628 on 1 October. The
report also noted that 14 lower-energy events (largest was M 2.4) were
recorded.



Geologic Summary. Volcán Copahue is an elongated composite cone constructed
along the Chile-Argentina border within the 6.5 x 8.5 km wide Trapa-Trapa
caldera that formed between 0.6 and 0.4 million years ago near the NW
margin of the 20 x 15 km Pliocene Caviahue (Del Agrio) caldera. The eastern
summit crater, part of a 2-km-long, ENE-WSW line of nine craters, contains
a briny, acidic 300-m-wide crater lake (also referred to as El Agrio or Del
Agrio) and displays intense fumarolic activity. Acidic hot springs occur
below the eastern outlet of the crater lake, contributing to the acidity of
the Río Agrio, and another geothermal zone is located within Caviahue
caldera about 7 km NE of the summit. Infrequent mild-to-moderate explosive
eruptions have been recorded since the 18th century. Twentieth-century
eruptions from the crater lake have ejected pyroclastic rocks and chilled
liquid sulfur fragments.



Sources: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/;

Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/;

Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR) http://www.segemar.gov.ar/





Poas  | Costa Rica  | 10.2°N, 84.233°W  | Summit elev. 2708 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 16-26 September sulfur dioxide emissions
from Poás drifted W and NE, causing a sulfur odor in Alajuela, Heredia, San
José, and Cartago. Acidic rain was recorded at the officialâ??s house in the
Poás Volcano National Park (PNVP) on 23 September and at Universidad
Nacional Costa Rica (UNA) in Heredia on 26 September. At 0540 on 30
September a five-minute-long phreatic eruption ejected sediment, and
produced a plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW.
Ashfall and a sulfur odor was reported in Trojas de Sarchi and Grecia.
Officials closed the PNVP because of the eruption and ongoing elevated
seismicity; the park remained closed the next day.



Geologic Summary. The broad, well-vegetated edifice of Poás, one of the
most active volcanoes of Costa Rica, contains three craters along a N-S
line. The frequently visited multi-hued summit crater lakes of the
basaltic-to-dacitic volcano, which is one of Costa Rica's most prominent
natural landmarks, are easily accessible by vehicle from the nearby capital
city of San José. A N-S-trending fissure cutting the 2708-m-high complex
stratovolcano extends to the lower northern flank, where it has produced
the Congo stratovolcano and several lake-filled maars. The southernmost of
the two summit crater lakes, Botos, is cold and clear and last erupted
about 7500 years ago. The more prominent geothermally heated northern lake,
Laguna Caliente, is one of the world's most acidic natural lakes, with a pH
of near zero. It has been the site of frequent phreatic and phreatomagmatic
eruptions since the first historical eruption was reported in 1828.
Eruptions often include geyser-like ejections of crater-lake water.



Sources: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad
Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/;

Tico Times
https://ticotimes.net/2019/09/30/poas-volcano-national-park-to-remain-closed-due-to-high-probability-of-further-activity





Ulawun  | New Britain (Papua New Guinea)  | 5.05°S, 151.33°E  | Summit
elev. 2334 m



RVO reported that small, discrete, volcano-tectonic earthquakes at Ulawun
began occurring more regularly around 1000 on 30 September; by 1130 they
were frequent and by 1220 they were characterized as a swarm. The magnitude
of the events overall increased with time and some were felt by residents
and accompanied by booming sounds. Events were less frequent and intense
during 1730-1930. Sometime afterwards RSAM values erratically increased,
reaching a high of 10,000 units between 0130 and 0200 on 1 October. The
Alert Level was raised to Stage 2 (the second lowest level on a four-stage
scale).



Periods of volcano-tectonic earthquakes slowly transformed into continuous
tremor with distinct bursts of high-frequency signals marking discrete
volcano-tectonic events during 0430-0500 on 1 October. During this time a
new vent opened in a deep valley on the SSW flank at 700 m elevation. The
eruption was described as a distinct incandescent glow formed from ejecting
material rising less than 100 m above the vent. By dawn light-gray ash
plumes were visible rising several hundred meters and drifting NW. Lava
fountaining continued throughout the day, and gray ash plumes rose several
kilometers above the vent and drifted W. RVO recommended that the Alert
Level be raised to Stage 3. On 2 October lava fountains rose several
hundred meters and ash-and-steam plumes rose to variable heights between 2
and 5 km, causing ashfall in Navo (W). A lava flow which emerged during the
night traveled 1-2 km NW, though visibility was hindered due to weather
conditions. Loud rumbling and roaring was noted. Seismicity remained high
with RSAM values passing 12,000 units.



Geologic Summary. The symmetrical basaltic-to-andesitic Ulawun
stratovolcano is the highest volcano of the Bismarck arc, and one of Papua
New Guinea's most frequently active. The volcano, also known as the Father,
rises above the N coast of the island of New Britain across a low saddle NE
of Bamus volcano, the South Son. The upper 1,000 m is unvegetated. A
prominent E-W escarpment on the south may be the result of large-scale
slumping. Satellitic cones occupy the NW and E flanks. A steep-walled
valley cuts the NW side, and a flank lava-flow complex lies to the south of
this valley. Historical eruptions date back to the beginning of the 18th
century. Twentieth-century eruptions were mildly explosive until 1967, but
after 1970 several larger eruptions produced lava flows and basaltic
pyroclastic flows, greatly modifying the summit crater.



Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)





Ongoing Activity





Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.593°N, 130.657°E  | Summit elev. 1117 m



JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Calderaâ??s
Sakurajima volcano) was occasionally visible at night during 24-30
September. Very small eruptive events were recorded. The Alert Level
remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay
contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active.
Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of
the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera
was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera,
along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began
about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an
island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major
explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit
cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at
Minamidake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century,
have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located
across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical
eruption took place during 1471-76.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Asosan  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 32.884°N, 131.104°E  | Summit elev. 1592 m



JMA reported that during 25-30 September ash plumes rose as high as 1.6 km
above Asosanâ??s summit crater rim and drifted NE and NW, causing ashfall in
areas downwind. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 2,600 tons per day on
26 September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).



Geologic Summary. The 24-km-wide Asosan caldera was formed during four
major explosive eruptions from 300,000 to 90,000 years ago. These produced
voluminous pyroclastic flows that covered much of Kyushu. The last of
these, the Aso-4 eruption, produced more than 600 km3 of airfall tephra and
pyroclastic-flow deposits. A group of 17 central cones was constructed in
the middle of the caldera, one of which, Nakadake, is one of Japan's most
active volcanoes. It was the location of Japan's first documented
historical eruption in 553 CE. The Nakadake complex has remained active
throughout the Holocene. Several other cones have been active during the
Holocene, including the Kometsuka scoria cone as recently as about 210 CE.
Historical eruptions have largely consisted of basaltic to
basaltic-andesite ash emission with periodic strombolian and
phreatomagmatic activity. The summit crater of Nakadake is accessible by
toll road and cable car, and is one of Kyushu's most popular tourist
destinations.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Dukono  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.693°N, 127.894°E  | Summit elev. 1229 m



Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the
Darwin VAAC reported that during 25 September-1 October ash plumes from
Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in
multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and
the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.



Geologic Summary. Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost
Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active
volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes
accompanied by lava flows, occurred from 1933 until at least the mid-1990s,
when routine observations were curtailed. During a major eruption in 1550,
a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the north-flank cone
of Gunung Mamuya. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with
multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of
the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been
active during historical time.



Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/;

Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Ebeko  | Paramushir Island (Russia)  | 50.686°N, 156.014°E  | Summit elev.
1103 m



Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of
Ebeko, observed explosions during 22-23 September that sent ash plumes up
to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E and NE, causing ashfall in
Severo-Kurilsk. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second
highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko
volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern
end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line
form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five
volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the
neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater
contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater
is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming
solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the
central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical
activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to
small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense
fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the
cone, and in lateral explosion craters.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Etna  | Sicily (Italy)  | 37.748°N, 14.999°E  | Summit elev. 3295 m



INGV reported that intense Strombolian activity from vents at the bottom of
Etnaâ??s Voragine Crater (VOR) continued during 23-29 September. Gas
emissions from Northeast Crater (NEC) were intense and continuous, and ash
plumes were occasionally visible and sometimes accompanied by incandescent
flashes. A large ash emission rose from the crater on 27 September and
drifted S.



Geologic Summary. Mount Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily's second
largest city, has one of the world's longest documented records of
historical volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE. Historical lava flows of
basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano,
whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello
stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during
the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most
prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km
horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity
typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions,
sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit
craters. Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less
frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively
downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions
at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of
lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all
sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.



Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
http://www.ct.ingv.it/





Ibu  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.488°N, 127.63°E  | Summit elev. 1325 m



The Darwin VAAC reported that on 28 September ash plumes from Ibu rose to
altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,00-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW based on
satellite images and weather models. PVMBG reported that at 1806 on 30
September an ash plume rose about 800 m above the crater rim and drifted N.
The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was
warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away
on the N side.



Geologic Summary. The truncated summit of Gunung Ibu stratovolcano along
the NW coast of Halmahera Island has large nested summit craters. The inner
crater, 1 km wide and 400 m deep, contained several small crater lakes
through much of historical time. The outer crater, 1.2 km wide, is breached
on the north side, creating a steep-walled valley. A large parasitic cone
is located ENE of the summit. A smaller one to the WSW has fed a lava flow
down the W flank. A group of maars is located below the N and W flanks.
Only a few eruptions have been recorded in historical time, the first a
small explosive eruption from the summit crater in 1911. An eruption
producing a lava dome that eventually covered much of the floor of the
inner summit crater began in December 1998.



Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Karangetang  | Siau Island (Indonesia)  | 2.781°N, 125.407°E  | Summit
elev. 1797 m



PVMBG reported that during 25 September-1 October lava continued to effuse
from Karangetangâ??s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.5 km down the
Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Sometimes dense
white plumes rose to 300 m above the summit. On 27 and 29 September the
Darwin VAAC noted that ash plumes rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft)
a.s.l. (about 330-640 m above the crater rim) and drifted SW and W. The
Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).



Geologic Summary. Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end
of the island of Siau, about 125 km NNE of the NE-most point of Sulawesi
island. The stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. It
is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions
recorded since 1675 and many additional small eruptions that were not
documented in the historical record (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the
World: Neumann van Padang, 1951). Twentieth-century eruptions have included
frequent explosive activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and
lahars. Lava dome growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of
lava flow fronts have produced pyroclastic flows.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Karymsky  | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | 54.049°N, 159.443°E  | Summit
elev. 1513 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in
satellite images on 19 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at
Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern
volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a
5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts
the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the
north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains
the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding
Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located
immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700
radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000
years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago,
following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows
less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or
vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava
flows from the summit crater.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Krakatau  | Indonesia  | 6.102°S, 105.423°E  | Summit elev. 813 m



PVMBG reported that Anak Krakatauâ??s seismic network recorded 10 eruptive
events during 23-29 September. A webcam at the summit recorded diffuse
white plumes rising as high as 150 m from the vent at the bottom of the
crater. Eruptive events recorded by the webcam at 0813 on 25 September,
0555 and 0835 on 26 September, and 1520 on 27 September generated dense
gray-and-white ash plumes that rose 150-200 m from the vent and generally
drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the
public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km-radius hazard zone from the
crater.



Geologic Summary. The renowned volcano Krakatau (frequently misstated as
Krakatoa) lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Collapse of
the ancestral Krakatau edifice, perhaps in 416 or 535 CE, formed a
7-km-wide caldera. Remnants of this ancestral volcano are preserved in
Verlaten and Lang Islands; subsequently Rakata, Danan, and Perbuwatan
volcanoes were formed, coalescing to create the pre-1883 Krakatau Island.
Caldera collapse during the catastrophic 1883 eruption destroyed Danan and
Perbuwatan, and left only a remnant of Rakata. This eruption, the 2nd
largest in Indonesia during historical time, caused more than 36,000
fatalities, most as a result of devastating tsunamis that swept the
adjacent coastlines of Sumatra and Java. Pyroclastic surges traveled 40 km
across the Sunda Strait and reached the Sumatra coast. After a quiescence
of less than a half century, the post-collapse cone of Anak Krakatau (Child
of Krakatau) was constructed within the 1883 caldera at a point between the
former cones of Danan and Perbuwatan. Anak Krakatau has been the site of
frequent eruptions since 1927.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Manam  | Papua New Guinea  | 4.08°S, 145.037°E  | Summit elev. 1807 m



The Darwin VAAC reported that on 29 September diffuse ash plumes from Manam
rose to altitudes of 2.4-2.7 km (8,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W,
based on satellite data and weather models. A sulfur dioxide signature in
the plume was also detected. On 30 September RVO reported increased
seismicity; the VAAC noted ongoing emissions and a persistent thermal
anomaly.



Geologic Summary. The 10-km-wide island of Manam, lying 13 km off the
northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, is one of the country's most
active volcanoes. Four large radial valleys extend from the unvegetated
summit of the conical 1807-m-high basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano to its
lower flanks. These "avalanche valleys" channel lava flows and pyroclastic
avalanches that have sometimes reached the coast. Five small satellitic
centers are located near the island's shoreline on the northern, southern,
and western sides. Two summit craters are present; both are active,
although most historical eruptions have originated from the southern
crater, concentrating eruptive products during much of the past century
into the SE valley. Frequent historical eruptions, typically of
mild-to-moderate scale, have been recorded since 1616. Occasional larger
eruptions have produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached
flat-lying coastal areas and entered the sea, sometimes impacting populated
areas.



Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Merapi  | Central Java (Indonesia)  | 7.54°S, 110.446°E  | Summit elev.
2910 m



PVMBG reported that the lava dome at Merapi slowly grew during 20-26
September and was an estimated 468,000 cubic meters, based on 19 September
measurements based on drone photos. Extruded lava fell into the upper parts
of the SE flank, generating three block-and-ash flows that traveled as far
as 1.5 km down the Gendol drainage. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 75
m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and
residents were warned to stay outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.



Geologic Summary. Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, lies in
one of the world's most densely populated areas and dominates the landscape
immediately north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and
southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth
of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse
perhaps about 2000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the
eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequently growth of the steep-sided
Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent eruptive
activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and
lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit
lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern
flanks and caused many fatalities during historical time.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Nevados de Chillan  | Chile  | 36.868°S, 71.378°W  | Summit elev. 3180 m



ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 24 September-1 October
white-to-gray gas plumes from Nevados de Chillánâ??s Nicanor Crater rose as
high as 1.3 km above the rim and drifted NE, E, and SE. Explosions
sometimes ejected incandescent material onto the flanks. A lava flow on the
NNE flank continued to advance at a low rate. Ashfall was reported 15 km
WNW in Las Trancas on 24 September. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the
second highest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level
Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of
Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián, and stated that the public should stay at
least 3 km away from the crater on the SW flank and 5 km away on the ENE
flank.



Geologic Summary. The compound volcano of Nevados de Chillán is one of the
most active of the Central Andes. Three late-Pleistocene to Holocene
stratovolcanoes were constructed along a NNW-SSE line within three nested
Pleistocene calderas, which produced ignimbrite sheets extending more than
100 km into the Central Depression of Chile. The largest stratovolcano,
dominantly andesitic, Cerro Blanco (Volcán Nevado), is located at the NW
end of the group. Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán), which was the main active
vent during the 17th-19th centuries, occupies the SE end. The new Volcán
Nuevo lava-dome complex formed between 1906 and 1945 between the two
volcanoes and grew to exceed Volcán Viejo in elevation. The Volcán Arrau
dome complex was constructed SE of Volcán Nuevo between 1973 and 1986 and
eventually exceeded its height.



Sources: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/;

Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/





Popocatepetl  | Mexico  | 19.023°N, 98.622°W  | Summit elev. 5393 m



CENAPRED reported that each day during 25 September-1 October there were
123-224 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, some of which contained
ash. As many as 10 explosions were recorded each day and crater
incandescence was sometimes visible at night. During an overflight on 27
September observatory staff, scientists, and civil protection staff
observed a lava dome, 30 m in diameter, at the bottom of the inner crater.
The inner crater was 350 m in diameter and 150 m deep based on thermal
images and photographs. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two
(middle level on a three-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Volcán Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for
smoking mountain, rises 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's
2nd-highest volcano. The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a
steep-walled, 400 x 600 m wide crater. The generally symmetrical volcano is
modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier
volcano. At least three previous major cones were destroyed by
gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive
debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas to the south. The modern
volcano was constructed south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile
cone. Three major Plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place
about 800 CE, have occurred since the mid-Holocene, accompanied by
pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the
volcano. Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices,
have occurred since Pre-Columbian time.



Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
https://www.gob.mx/cenapred





Sabancaya  | Peru  | 15.787°S, 71.857°W  | Summit elev. 5960 m



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that an average of 15
low-to-medium intensity explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during
23-29 September. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 1.7 km above the summit
and drifted NW, W, and SW. There were 11 thermal anomalies identified in
satellite data. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest
level on a four-color scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of
a 12-km radius.



Geologic Summary. Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of
Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the
only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three,
Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene
age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language)
first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that
date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by
emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an
extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of
historical eruptions date back to 1750.



Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) http://www.igp.gob.pe/





Sheveluch  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.653°N, 161.36°E  | Summit
elev. 3283 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluchâ??s lava dome was
identified daily in satellite images during 20-27 September. Explosions
recorded during 20-21, 23, and 26 September produced ash plumes that rose
to 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 580 km ESE. The Aviation Color Code
remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also
spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya
volcano group. The 1300 km3 volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most
active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary
Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera
breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy
Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the
large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took
place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions have
occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano
of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions
have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in
Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964,
have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of
the breached caldera.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Shishaldin  | Fox Islands (USA)  | 54.756°N, 163.97°W  | Summit elev. 2857 m



On 26 September AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin had decreased
during the previous few weeks to levels slightly above background.
Satellite images indicated decreased surface temperatures at the summit
over the same period and showed collapse and slumping of the floor of the
summit crater, suggesting a withdrawal of magma. Tiltmeter data suggested
that the collapse may have occurred on 19 September. The Aviation Color
Code was lowered to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to
Advisory.



Geologic Summary. The beautifully symmetrical volcano of Shishaldin is the
highest and one of the most active volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands. The
2857-m-high, glacier-covered volcano is the westernmost of three large
stratovolcanoes along an E-W line in the eastern half of Unimak Island. The
Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points the way
when I am lost." A steady steam plume rises from its small summit crater.
Constructed atop an older glacially dissected volcano, it is Holocene in
age and largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older ancestral
volcano are exposed on the west and NE sides at 1500-1800 m elevation.
There are over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank, which is
blanketed by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity, primarily
consisting of strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit crater, but
sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the 18th century.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://avo.alaska.edu/





Suwanosejima  | Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | 29.638°N, 129.714°E  | Summit
elev. 796 m



JMA reported that during 20-27 September white plumes rose 800 m above the
rim of Suwanosejimaâ??s Ontake Crater and crater incandescence was visible at
night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The 8-km-long, spindle-shaped island of Suwanosejima in
the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two
historically active summit craters. The summit of the volcano is truncated
by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the east flank that was
formed by edifice collapse. Suwanosejima, one of Japan's most frequently
active volcanoes, was in a state of intermittent strombolian activity from
Otake, the NE summit crater, that began in 1949 and lasted until 1996,
after which periods of inactivity lengthened. The largest historical
eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits blanketed
residential areas, and the SW crater produced two lava flows that reached
the western coast. At the end of the eruption the summit of Otake collapsed
forming a large debris avalanche and creating the horseshoe-shaped Sakuchi
caldera, which extends to the eastern coast. The island remained
uninhabited for about 70 years after the 1813-1814 eruption. Lava flows
reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884. Only about 50 people live
on the island.



Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vaac/data/vaac_list.html





Tangkubanparahu  | Western Java (Indonesia)  | 6.77°S, 107.6°E  | Summit
elev. 2084 m



PVMBG reported that during 23-29 September diffuse white water vapor plumes
rose 200 m above the vent on Tangkubanparahu's Ratu Crater floor. The
seismic network recorded continuous tremor. The Alert Level remained at 2
(on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 1.5 km away from the
active crater.



Geologic Summary. Tangkubanparahu (also known as Tangkuban Perahu) is a
broad shield-like stratovolcano overlooking Indonesia's former capital city
of Bandung. The volcano was constructed within the 6 x 8 km Pleistocene
Sunda caldera, which formed about 190,000 years ago. The volcano's low
profile is the subject of legends referring to the mountain of the
"upturned boat." The rim of Sunda caldera forms a prominent ridge on the
western side; elsewhere the caldera rim is largely buried by deposits of
Tangkubanparahu volcano. The dominantly small phreatic historical eruptions
recorded since the 19th century have originated from several nested craters
within an elliptical 1 x 1.5 km summit depression.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





White Island  | North Island (New Zealand)  | 37.52°S, 177.18°E  | Summit
elev. 321 m



GeoNet reported observing small-scale geyser-like explosions of mud and
steam at White Islandâ??s active vent area during the previous three weeks.
The ejecta rose as high as 10 m above the active vents on the W part of the
crater floor. An increase in frequency of these events was caused by crater
lake water that has been rising since early August, covering the active
vents. The geysering does not represent increased volcanic activity; the
Volcanic Alert Level remained at 1 (the second lowest level on a 0-5 scale)
and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.



Geologic Summary. Uninhabited 2 x 2.4 km White Island, one of New Zealand's
most active volcanoes, is the emergent summit of a 16 x 18 km submarine
volcano in the Bay of Plenty about 50 km offshore of North Island. The
island consists of two overlapping andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcanoes;
the summit crater appears to be breached to the SE, because the shoreline
corresponds to the level of several notches in the SE crater wall. Volckner
Rocks, four sea stacks that are remnants of a lava dome, lie 5 km NNE.
Intermittent moderate phreatomagmatic and strombolian eruptions have
occurred throughout the short historical period beginning in 1826, but its
activity also forms a prominent part of Maori legends. Formation of many
new vents during the 19th and 20th centuries has produced rapid changes in
crater floor topography. Collapse of the crater wall in 1914 produced a
debris avalanche that buried buildings and workers at a sulfur-mining
project.



Source: GeoNet http://www.geonet.org.nz/


2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2

==============================================================

Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University (ASU), Portland State University (PSU), the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI).

ASU - http://www.asu.edu/
PSU - http://pdx.edu/
GVP - http://www.volcano.si.edu/
IAVCEI - https://www.iavceivolcano.org/

To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message:
signoff volcano
to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxx.

To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to:
volcano@xxxxxxx.  Please do not send attachments.

==============================================================

------------------------------

End of Volcano Digest - 30 Sep 2019 to 2 Oct 2019 (#2019-86)
************************************************************


[Index of Archives]     [Yosemite Backpacking]     [Earthquake Notices]     [USGS News]     [Yosemite Campgrounds]     [Steve's Art]     [Hot Springs Forum]

  Powered by Linux